Minutes from the Committee Meeting

July 6, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 47

Our Kickback Minutes newsletter will run as a USMNT preview up until such point the team is no longer playing in the World Cup!

For a much more in-depth preview, check out our David Gass & Matt Doyle preview on YouTube below or audio here:

Agenda Items 📋:

• The U.S. plays its biggest match in the men’s program’s history today, a Round of 16 match against Belgium.  
• You know the stakes. A second knockout round victory, assuredly in front of the largest soccer audience in U.S. history.
• The U.S.’s last match, a Round of 32 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina, smashed the previous soccer TV audience record holder (the USWNT’s World Cup Final victory in 2015), totaling over 34 million average viewers across English & Spanish channels.
• The U.S. were easily in control of that match, limiting Bosnia & Herzegovina to under .4 expected goals despite playing down a man for most of the second half. You’ve assuredly heard every take about the controversial Folarin Balogun red card…
• …and you’re assuredly aware that Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension has been suspended. He’s available to play tonight versus Belgium!
• FIFA used the same rule they used to delay Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension, otherwise to be served at the World Cup. Effectively, they can’t reverse the red card, but they can have the suspension served at a later date…either never or in a match that doesn’t matter nearly as much. 
• Balogun’s return potentially will have Americans thinking they may be slight favorites. Belgium narrowly defeated Senegal 3-2 in their Round of 32 match, and have looked vulnerable against Egypt and Iran.
• Belgium seemingly had been easily defeated by Senegal, having benched stars Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne before the 60th minute while down 2-0. Late goals seemingly against the run-of-play brought Belgium back in the tie, won in a last minute extra time PK.
• Much of the conversation around Belgium is whether they embrace the lineup that brought them back in, featuring Lukaku and Lukebakio, or do they keep Doku and de Bruyne in the mix from the start. 
• Either way, tonight’s match in Seattle, one of the hometowns of American soccer, could be a definitive moment for the future of soccer in this nation. No pressure!

Three Stories of the Week:

It was, very briefly, how the U.S. replaces Balgoun. Now, the single biggest question lies with Belgium:

Will Rudi Garcia return to de Bruyne and Doku, or did the replacements earn the gig?  Above we discussed how Belgium seemed completely defeated against Senegal. Down 2-0, and the Senegalese looking much more likely to score next.

Manager Rudi Garcia surprisingly subbed out Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne in the 55th minute. While the swap didn’t immediately pay dividends, and no one would argue Belgium dominated the match from thereon, it was the rotated team that scored two quick goals after the 80th minute to push the match to extra time. 

Doku in particular is in focus. The Manchester City winger absolutely terrorized the USMNT in a friendly in March, but has suffered an illness and widespread criticism back home for his decision to leave the team to attend the birth of his first child. 

Doku, when he has played, has not looked like the match winner many expected him to be before the World Cup. Meanwhile, his replacement Dodi Lukebakio was a difference maker against Senegal.

That being said, de Bruyne and Doku are both World Class talents who can win a match on their own. Rudi Garcia will have a difficult selection decision that may seal the fate of Belgium’s “Golden Generation.”

How Will Balogun Show Up? The surprise news is of course the last second suspension-of-the-suspension that will see Folarin Balgoun available for the U.S.

The striker’s confidence, power, and poise have been massive difference makers for the U.S. throughout the tournament, making him arguably one of the top five players at his position in the competition. Meanwhile, Belgium and the U.S. will both need to reconsider their plans based upon his inclusion.

Perhaps the most important difference will be Balogun’s singular ability to seemingly compose a shot and score a goal with minimal space. It will allow the U.S. to maintain danger even without control of the run of play, and force Belgium to potentially play more conservatively.

Will Matt Freese be The Guy: One conversation we haven’t really had yet is whether Matt Freese is ready for the spotlight. This likely will prove the match where it’s thrust upon him…

Freese faced relatively little attacking activity in his three matches, neither proving much positively or negatively in regards to his shot stopping and control of the box. He’s let up one goal, but its impact was clearly irrelevant at the point Paraguay earned it in the match.

He’ll face, now, some of the most accomplished and capable attackers in the world, and stand across the pitch from arguably the best goalkeeper of his generation, Thibaut Courtois. Most importantly, today’s match seemed incredibly even, and very easily could push to penalties.

Freese arguably earned his spot from his standout Gold Cup performance in penalties. We’ll hope that augured bigger moments to come if we turn our focus to the netminder for the first time tonight.

Kickback's Daily Show and USMNT Previews and Reviews:

• 9:30 a.m., Every Day: Tune in to our daily show LIVE on @soccerwisehq or @firsttouch_ksm on YouTube (click for links). Listen on Soccerwise podcast feeds afterwards if you’re on the go!
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